S/PV.5123 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Iraq, in which he requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council’s agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the discussion, without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided.

In accordance with the understanding reached in the Council’s prior consultations, I shall take it that the Security Council agrees to extend an invitation under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure to Mr. Kieran Prendergast, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs. It is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. I would like to welcome the presence of the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, at this meeting. At this meeting the Security Council will hear a briefing by Mr. Kieran Prendergast, to whom I now give the floor. Mr. Prendergast: The simultaneous holding of three elections in Iraq on 30 January 2005 — for the Transitional National Assembly, 18 governorate councils and the Kurdistan National Assembly — was a momentous event for Iraqis and for the international community. Although only a first step, it marks a significant development in Iraq’s transition to democratic government, as outlined in Security Council resolution 1546 (2004). Despite attempts at violent disruption, Iraqis turned out in large numbers to exercise their right to vote. On election day, the Secretary-General paid tribute to the courage of the Iraqi people and congratulated the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq as well as the thousands of Iraqi election workers and monitors, on having carried out their elections within such a limited time frame and under such challenging circumstances. The successful conduct of the elections has rightly been met with positive responses, both inside and outside Iraq, including from the Council. The elections met recognized standards in terms of election organization, regulations and procedures. The assessments of Iraqi and international observers indicate overall satisfaction with the conduct of the polls. The number of serious irregularities and complaints conveyed to the Independent Electoral Commission has been relatively small, and all complaints are being investigated and addressed by the Commission. The results announced on 13 February confirm an overall turnout of more than 8 million voters for the elections to the Transitional National Assembly. We shall have to await the final certification of results by the Commission in order to have the final allocation of seats and thus know the breadth of the spectrum of political representation. The electoral system — proportional representation with a single national constituency — was chosen precisely with the aim of facilitating a wide range of representation. But it is clear that, for whatever reason, turnout was low in areas with a high percentage of Sunni Arabs. We are pleased that the Iraqis were able to hold elections despite all the difficulties. The elections were an important staging post, successfully reached, in the long and difficult process of political transition. We are proud of the role played by the United Nations, pursuant to our mandate based on resolution 1546 (2004). Under the overall responsibility of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Ashraf Qazi, and the able direction of Mr. Carlos Valenzuela, and with the support of the Electoral Assistance Division, headed by Ms. Carina Perelli, the United Nations electoral assistance team was able to work effectively with the members of the Independent Electoral Commission to ensure that all the necessary preparations were put in place within a very tight time frame. The electoral assistance team, which, in addition to United Nations personnel, included experts from the European Union, the United Kingdom, Chile and the International Foundation for Election Systems, provided technical, logistical, financial and administrative assistance to the Commission in a number of key areas. It is clear from the overall level of participation that the majority of the Iraqi people are committed to the political transition process that the country is undergoing. But regional variations were significant. As I have already noted, the turnout among Arab Sunnis was markedly lower than for other communities. This is something that needs to be addressed if there is to be more complete participation in the constitution-making process and the referendum. In accordance with its mandate, the United Nations stands ready to assist with this effort. The security situation remains fragile and challenging, as demonstrated by the resumption of daily attacks against Iraqis and foreigners alike. However, we hope that the elections will mark a watershed and that success in making the political transition more inclusive will have a positive effect on the security situation. From our experience in Afghanistan and elsewhere, we have learned that the challenge in any political transition ultimately lies in achieving a sustainable process that leads to an outcome — in this case, a constitution and a legitimately elected parliament and Government — in which all Iraqis feel that they have a stake. This implies a realization by Iraqis that failure to engage in national dialogue and reconciliation could bring strife far more damaging than the compromises either side would have to make under an agreed peace. The key to forging such a national understanding is the making of the new constitution. Iraq’s most immediate challenge is to form a transitional Government that is broadly representative of Iraqi society and to find ways to bring together all Iraqi constituencies in a national effort to define the future of their country. The prospect of a referendum just eight months from now should serve as an important incentive for an inclusive, participatory and transparent constitutional process, given that a two-thirds vote for rejection in three governorates would block the adoption of the new constitution. Our impression is that Iraqis understand the great responsibility that comes with the drafting of a new constitution. They know that it will affect their lives and those of their children for a long time to come. Some difficult questions are bound to arise, pertaining to the future character of the State and to the relationship among Iraq’s diverse communities. These issues concern Iraqis as a people and Iraq as a nation, so it will be important that the new Iraqi leadership signal clearly that each of the country’s communities will have the chance to participate in shaping the future of their country. Similarly, all Iraqi constituencies ought to see that they have an interest in articulating a clear and reasonable agenda that contributes constructively to Iraq’s constitutional debate. Already, prominent political leaders in Iraq have signalled their sensitivity to the fact that certain constituencies, particularly among Arab Sunnis and other Arab nationalists, are likely to find themselves under-represented in the Transitional Assembly due to the low turnout in some regions. Those leaders have indicated their determination to assuage any fears of political alienation, including by raising the possibility of inviting representatives of groups that did not, or could not, take part in the elections to participate both in the transitional Government and in the constitution- drafting process. Conversely, some political elements that had urged a boycott or postponement of elections now appear to be insisting that their views must be included in any dialogue and that they have the right to participate fully in the drafting of a permanent constitution. Meanwhile, Iraqis will expect their Transitional Assembly and Government to deliver on matters of immediate concern to them. As a matter of priority, Iraqis need to be able to go about their lives without fear of terrorism, violence and insecurity of all types. The better and the faster that Iraqi security forces can be trained, the sooner they will be able to assume their responsibilities and fully take charge of the country’s security. Equally important, the transitional authorities will need to find ways to improve the daily living conditions of Iraqis by stepping up reconstruction, development and humanitarian activities. The United Nations has a mandate to assist in all those areas. We are already actively engaged in doing so, and we intend to intensify our engagement as circumstances permit. We know that Iraqis have high expectations of the United Nations. In the weeks and months ahead, the new transitional institutions of Iraq will need the active support and engagement of the international community. The United Nations has accompanied the Iraqi people and authorities in their political transition thus far. We are determined to continue to do so. It must be, and must be seen to be, an Iraqi-owned and Iraqi-led process. But, in terms of what we can offer, the United Nations has considerable experience in supporting and facilitating transitional processes under difficult conditions. Iraq has the human and material resources to take charge of its own destiny. Where the international community and the United Nations can, in our view, best contribute to that process is in helping to create enabling conditions for all Iraqis to share and succeed in the political and economic reconstruction of their country. It is important that the various international actors work in a complementary manner with the Iraqis and with one another. There is a general expectation both inside and outside Iraq that the United Nations will play a proactive role in supporting the constitution-making process, and we look forward to working closely with the elected members of the Transitional National Assembly and with other representatives of Iraqi society. In conformity with resolution 1546 (2004), the United Nations is ready to offer any needed technical assistance and public information support, as well as political facilitation. All of us are aware that developments in Iraq have potentially important implications outside the country. The constitutional debate will be closely watched, especially by Iraq’s neighbours. Some of the issues to be negotiated among Iraqis in this process touch upon the security interests of neighbouring countries. It is therefore essential that, just as we work to normalize the situation inside Iraq, every effort should be made to normalize Iraq’s relations with the region and with the international community at large. It is especially important that Iraq’s sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity be respected. A sovereign Iraq naturally aspires to regain its rightful place in the community of nations. The Secretary- General, for his part, intends to continue to foster greater regional and international convergence in support of Iraq’s political transition and the United Nations role. No one could fail to have been moved by the way that Iraqis went to the polls on 30 January, with courage, determination and confidence in the future of their country. The elections mark an important staging post achieved. The next key steps are the building of a constitution, the referendum due in October and then the holding of a general election. Iraqis look to their leaders to deliver on the promise of a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Iraq with which all Iraqis can identify. The challenges ahead are real; but so too are the opportunities. In fulfilment of its mandate, and circumstances permitting, the United Nations will spare no effort to meet the expectations of the Iraqi people through this critical period of their history.

I thank Mr. Prendergast for his comprehensive briefing. I now give the floor to the representative of Iraq.

I thank the representative of Iraq for the kind words addresssed to me. In accordance with the understanding reached in the Council’s prior consultations, I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion of the subject.